Hello and welcome to today’s news from Japan Daily News on June 30th, 2024. In Kumamoto, a memorial service was held in the city of Hitoyoshi to commemorate the victims of the heavy rain disaster that occurred four years ago. The disaster, which took place in Reiwa 2, claimed the lives of 67 people, with two individuals still missing. As the fourth anniversary approaches on July 4th, the affected community came together to pay their respects.

Moving on to Tokyo, the city has implemented a ban on LED advertising for all vehicles engaged in promotional activities. This expansion of regulations, effective from today, prohibits the use of LED screens to display advertisements on trucks and other vehicles throughout the city.

In other news, a disaster preparedness event was held in Shibuya, where participants had the opportunity to learn about disaster response strategies. The event focused on practical experiences, such as learning how to use ‘disaster toilets’ during water shortages and other emergency situations.

The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued warnings for heavy rain in different regions. Northern Japan is expected to experience intense rainfall throughout July 1st, while western and eastern parts of the country may face heavy rain on July 2nd. The agency has urged caution against potential risks, including landslides and other related disasters.

In Yokohama, a car body manufacturing company affiliated with Toyota Motor Corporation is under investigation for suspected violations of subcontracting laws. It is alleged that the company stored multiple ‘molds,’ essential for producing components, at subcontracted parts manufacturers without charge, burdening them with expenses. The Fair Trade Commission is preparing to issue recommendations based on subcontracting laws, following a similar case involving Nissan Motor Company earlier this year. The commission has strengthened its monitoring of the automobile industry.

Tragically, a Myanmar man lost his life after being swept away by the Mino River in Yamaguchi City. The incident occurred on the evening of the 29th, while the man was visiting the river for recreational purposes.

Lastly, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology has notified all prefectures across the country to consider special measures for foreign students in public high school entrance examinations starting from the fiscal year 2024. These measures include the establishment of special quotas for foreign students and the addition of furigana (pronunciation guides) to examination questions to provide better support and consideration for non-native Japanese speakers. And now for the weather. Today in Tokyo, the weather will be partly cloudy with a high of 27°C and a low of 23°C. Visit JapanDailyNews.com for the news, yen exchange rates, and a daily Japanese proverb.